The document outlines the Essentials of English Composition 101 course, including eight modules that progressively develop writing skills culminating in a final research paper. Each module requires specific writing exercises, research, and adherence to citation styles, with detailed instructions provided for each assignment type. The instructor emphasizes the importance of reading instructions, submitting essays for critique, and utilizing proper formatting and original work.

1. Welcome to Essentials of English Composition 101. My name is
Stacie Vesolich, and I will be your instructor for this course. I
commend you for enrolling in this course as a path to furthering
your academic goals, and I will make every effort to help you to
achieve success in your writing endeavors. Let me begin by
highlighting several key points of this course:
Essentials of English Composition 101
8 Modules and a Final Research Paper
There are 8 modules, culminating with a final research paper as
the exam.
Each module is different, and it is very important that you read
the instructions for every module.
The beginning module requires you to do several writing,
practice exercises. This is mandatory, even though the practice
exercises are not graded.
The modules start out relatively easy (a descriptive essay and a
narrative essay that are written on your firsthand experiences
and do not require any writing citations.)
Be advised that the modules build on each other, progressively
becoming more difficult.
As your instructor, I have 3 days ( per module) to grade your
work. My response to your essay submissions usually does not
take three days, although I am granted that amount of time.
Read, Write, Submit, Wait
English courses require that the writer addresses the writing
prompt. This can only be done if the writer carefully reads the
specific directions.
After you submit your essay, wait for the remarks and critique

2. before submitting another module.
In some instances, you may be required to submit a revision of
your essay.
The option to do a revision on the submitted essay is your
choice, but is to your advantage.
Progression of Difficulty
Each writing module develops a specific skill and the level of
difficulty of these writing skills increases as the course
progresses.
Be sure to carefully read all of the instructions and view any
videos that apply to the module.
Always address the writing prompt: This is the specific
instructional requirement for the essay.
Research and Sources
For this course, when you present information that is based on
research that you have reviewed and studied, you must provide
two types of sources:
1) Parenthetical or in-text citations For example: (Smith 22)
2) A works cited page that is in alphabetical order.
3) I will use an electronic scan to verify that the work submitted
is your original work, or work that has been properly cited.
Remember that you have signed an honesty agreement about the
work that you will submit.
Research Essays, Expository Essays, and Persuasive Essays
Demand Citations
If you are having difficulty formatting the works cited page or
the in-text (parenthetical citations), please refer to these links:
The Purdue Owl Online Writing Lab (OWL). Click on MLA
Formatting and Style Guide.
Note: English classes tend to use MLA formatting; science and

3. humanities’ classes tend to use APA formatting. We
recommend using MLA formatting for our English classes at
Portage. However, I am fine with either type of formatting, as
long as the work is consistent throughout the essay. You cannot
blend styles.
Another helpful resource: The MLA Style Center (online)
Module 1: The Writing Process
For this module, you will be required to do the following:
1) Sign an honesty agreement
2) Pick a topic (This topic may be based on any of the writing
prompts for the modules.)
3) Brainstorm and cluster the topic
4) Write an outline of your topic
5) Write 4 research questions on your topic
6) Write a thesis statement
7) Write the intro, body, and conclusion of your topic
8) Define college-level vocabulary words
Note: This is a practice module, and the work is not graded.
However, it is mandatory!!!
You will not be able to proceed to the next modules without
completing the practice exercises.
Module 1 Continued: Descriptive Writing
This essay appears at the end of the practice exercises. Unlike
the practice exercises, this essay submission will be graded.
In this genre, the writer’s goal is to make the reader
“experience” the information.
The essay should be 2-3 pages. (approx. 800-1000 words,
double spaced in Times New Roman, 12 point font.)
Use vivid language and great imagery that appeals to the senses.
This is not a narrative, but a pictorial in words of an experience.
No sources or citations are required for this module.
Please review the precise directions at the end of the practice

4. module.
Module 2: Narrative Writing
Narrative writing tells the story of an event. You will write a
non-fiction narrative in which you express an event that has
impacted your life.
3 pages ( 1000 words, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12
point font)
Please refer to the precise directions in the review section of
this module.
No sources or citations are required for this module.
Important comment about the word count: I am concerned with
content in an essay. However, a well-developed essay usually
has a word count of approx. 800-1200 words. A page is usually
about 500-750 words. Use that guideline as a “rule of thumb.”
Module 3: Expository Writing
The nature of an expository essay is that it explains, informs, or
clarifies.
This expository essay, which will require in-text citations and a
works cited page is to be an example of a “cause and effect”
incident.
For example: a topic for an expository essay may be “The
Increase of Child Obesity in Impoverished Communities in the
USA.
The Cause: limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables
The Effect: Increase in weight gain due to high consumption of
carbs.
Essay is 3-4 pages (1000-1500 words) double spaced, Times
New Roman
In-text citations are mandatory
A works cited page is mandatory ( 10-15 sources required)

5. Module 4: Persuasive Writing
This genre of writing generates a response from the reader. In
this module, you will view a video that presents two positions
on the issue of fracking. You will supplement your viewing by
researching other sources on the issue of fracking.
After you have taken a position on this topic, you will present
your main points in a well-written essay.
It is mandatory that you validate these main points with in-text
citations and a works cited page.
Formatting: 3-4 pages (750-1200 words), double spaced, Times
New Roman.
Module 5: Literary Analysis Poetry
While students well-versed in the realm of language arts find
this writing module very applicable to their field of study, this
module may present itself as challenging for the student who is
not accustomed to this type of writing. Here are some tips:
The key to analyzing a poetry selection is to analyze what
literary structure the author utilizes to convey his or her point
of view ( or rhetorical stance)
A well-written analysis presents a “thread” or a “core theme”
surfacing throughout the selection or selections. How was the
author able to convey this theme? Was it through vivid word
choices or a driving refrain? Note: Essay is 3 pages, double
spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font.
State specific examples when analyzing the literary techniques.
Don’t merely say that the author uses a rhyme pattern to convey
his or her message. Be specific.
Please refer to the next slide for a glossary of literary terms that
will serve you well for this analysis.
Glossary of Key Literary Terms

6. Diction: The choice of words utilized by the author.
Dramatic Context: The setting and core structure of the poem.
Elliptical Construction: The omission of certain words or
phrases by the author.
Euphemism: A mild or less blunt word, for example, sleep
instead of death.
Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares unlike objects.
Simile: A figure of speech that compares unlike objects using
like and as: “Life is like a dream”
Motif: a recurring theme throughout the selection
Syntax: The pattern of words or sentence structure utilized by
the writer.
Module 6: Literary Analysis Prose
For this module, you will read an excerpt from Dostoevsky’s
Crime and Punishment. I will assign a writing prompt based on
a particular aspect from this excerpt. You will not be asked to
reiterate the plot line, but rather, your assignment will be to
decode and analyze the author’s rhetorical stance which means
the author’s attitude or opinion in regard to the subject.
The essay is 3-4 pages (1000-1500 words), double spaced,
Times New Roman
Be sure to include parenthetical citations and a works cited page
if you include information from other sources to validate your
comments and analysis of the writing prompt.
Module 7: Reflective Writing
The essay for this module is a reflection on your developmental
success as a writer in this course.
Focus on your initial fears and weaknesses when you began this
course.
What areas of growth occurred in the development of your
writing skills as your progressed through the course?

7. Note: Your ability to convey this reflection in a concise, well-
developed writing style will be considered in the grading of this
essay.
First Draft: Research Paper
For this course, even though this assignment is a first draft, you
will be required to submit prewriting and a completed copy of
your essay, which will include introduction, body, conclusion.
The first draft must also include parenthetical citations and a
works cited page.
Final Exam: Research Paper
This is your big essay for this course. Work diligently to
submit the very best essay.
Writing tips:
To stay organized and focused, there are three essential plans
for a good essay: 1) Create an outline 2) Formulate a strong
thesis statement that will drive the purpose of your essay 3)
Create four research questions that deal with your topic. If you
can’t create four questions, then you probably don’t have a good
topic.
Include 10-15 sources that will be incorporated in your text as
well as your works cited page.
If you are using direct quotations, make sure that you treat them
as such.
Refer to the precise instructions in the module.
The pre-write is a mandatory assignment that provides the
foundational tools for this course, but it does not count toward
the final grade.
Please open a document and answer the following sections. Be
sure to provide the appropriate heading for each section of the

8. Pre-write process.
Step 1: Select Your Topic
Use the three tips you learned in Selecting a Workable Topic to
develop a topic for your descriptive essay.
Step 2: Brainstorm Your Topic
1. Brainstorm your topic.
Start with the topic you developed in your last assignment.
Brainstorm some ideas surrounding that topic using what you
learned in Brainstorming Your Topic.
2. Use the clustering technique.
Use the system of clustering to generate specific ideas and
information pertaining to your topic or subject.
Step 2.1: Outline Your Topic
Use what you learned in Outlining as well as your previous
practice assignments to build an outline for your topic.
Step 2.2: Write Your Research Questions
Write four research questions that are applicable to your topic.
It is usually helpful to create questions that allow for both the
affirmative and negative positions on an issue or topic.
Step 3: Write Your Thesis Statement
Using what you learned about the characteristics of a good
thesis statement, write a thesis statement for your topic.
Step 4: Write Your Introduction
Using what you learned about thesis statements and
introductions, write an introduction for your paper. Review the
characteristics of a good introduction before you begin.
Step 5: Write Your Content
Using what you learned about writing the body of a paper, write
the content for your essay. Remember to review the module to
verify you are following the best practices for writing content.

9. Step 6: Write Your Conclusion
Using the information you learned, write a conclusion paragraph
for your paper.
Step 7: Use Appropriate Vocabulary
Review these words and make an effort to use them in your
speaking and writing. Practice using each of the words in a
sentence. Type a sentence for each term in the answer bank
below. If you need to use a dictionary for more clarification
regarding the definitions, feel free to do so. However, do not
use the suggested context sentences provided by the dictionary
(see the Portage Professionalism Policy for details) when
working on this exercise.
Transitional Words
College-Level Vocabulary
for instance
obtuse - lacking perception
enervate - to weaken
therefore
abstruse - difficult to understand
deciduous - shedding
thus
abeyance - to temporarily set aside
antebellum - period before the Civil War
because
mitosis - cell division
gauche - tactless
yet
nihilism - skepticism that denies all existence
hubris - over-bearing pride
eventually
parameter - boundaries
obsequiousness - fawning
first, second (etc.)
paradigm - an example to serves as a model

10. fiduciary - holding in trust
finally
precipitous - steep
feckless - ineffectual
similarly
jocular - given to joking
lexicon - dictionary
in other words
chicanery - trickery
kinetic - motion
in addition to
acumen - quickness; accuracy
inculcate - to teach by repetition
on the other hand
bowdlerize - modify
consequently
circumnavigate - to go around
however
deleterious - having a harmful effect
rather
churlish - bad disposition
Submission Guidelines
To complete this assignment, click “Submit your assignment,"
and then choose one of the following methods for submitting
your work:
1. Drag and drop your file into the submission box, and then
select "Submit file."
2. Select the file you want to upload, and then select "Submit
file."
Please contact your instructor using Canvas Messages with any
questions you may have. Your instructor may take several

11. business days to grade all of your work. Please be patient as
your instructor works to provide a level of feedback that
corresponds to the hard work you put into the assignment.
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